Board for gliding

ABSTRACT

Board for gliding ( 1 ) having an underfoot zone ( 2 ), intended to receive the foot or feet of the user, extending toward the front via a front zone ( 4 ) and to the rear via a rear zone ( 3 ), and the structure of which includes:  
     a lower assembly ( 10 ) comprising the gliding sole ( 11 ), the edges ( 12 ) and an optional lower reinforcement ( 13 );  
     an upper assembly ( 6 ) comprising the protective upper layer ( 7 ) and an upper reinforcement ( 8 );  
     an intermediate core ( 15 ) placed between the lower ( 10 ) and upper ( 6 ) assemblies;  
     characterized in that it includes a plate ( 25 ) located in the region of the underfoot zone and capable of being displaced in the direction of the lower assembly ( 10 ) through the effect of a pressure exerted by the user&#39;s foot and at least one longitudinal rigid arm ( 20 - 23 ), housed inside the structure of the board, traversing at least most of the thickness of the core ( 15 ), the end ( 40 - 43 ) of the arm furthermost from the underfoot zone bearing on the lower face of the core ( 15 ), on the lower assembly ( 10 ) of the board, the end ( 30 - 33 ) of the arm closest to the underfoot zone bearing under the plate ( 25 ), in the vicinity of the user&#39;s feet, so that the forces exerted by the user on the upper surface ( 9 ) of the board in the region of the underfoot zone ( 2 ) of the board are transmitted directly toward the lower surface of the board via the end of the arm ( 20 - 23 ) oriented in the direction of the lower assembly ( 10 ) of the board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sports involving glidingover snow using at least one board, such as downhill skiing,cross-country skiing, snowboarding and derivatives thereof. Morespecifically, it relates to a novel structure incorporating innerreinforcements acting as stiffener and for improving the transmission ofthe forces from the skier's feet in the direction of the edges.

[0002] In the remainder of the description, the invention will bedescribed more particularly in its application to downhill skiing, butit could be transferred to other types of board without a problem for aperson skilled in the art.

PRIOR ART

[0003] As is known, a downhill ski is generally regarded as consistingof three zones juxtaposed along its length, namely:

[0004] a first, underfoot zone located in the region where the bindingis positioned;

[0005] a tip zone, located in front of the underfoot zone;

[0006] and a heel zone, located to the rear of the underfoot zone.

[0007] When the skier exerts forces, particularly when beginning a turn,the mechanical structure of the board means that the pressure exerted onthe snow is different from one point to another along the ski.

[0008] More specifically, it is observed that the pressure is generallyat its maximum in the region of the underfoot zone and, moreparticularly, right underneath the binding.

[0009] The pressure is less, but still exists, in the region of thefront and rear contact lines which correspond to the limits of thesurface of contact between the sole and the snow.

[0010] In traditional structures, it is very generally observed thatthere are zones in which the pressure is particularly low, located infront of the rear contact line and behind the front contact line.

[0011] It is thus appreciated that gripping of the edges in the snow isrelatively ineffective in these particular zones.

[0012] This lack of grip may be reflected as a difficulty in steeringthe ski and also in a lack of precision in terms of the path followed.

[0013] One of the objectives of the invention is to allow optimum gripover the entire length of the ski in order to improve steeringprecision.

[0014] Moreover, there is currently a trend to widen the tip and heelends of boards for gliding. In point of fact, the phenomenon of loss ofprecision is further aggravated on boards with deeper sidecuts.

[0015] In order to ensure longitudinal stiffness of the board, it hasalready been proposed to incorporate longitudinal reinforcements insidethe core of the board, as described, for example, in the Applicant'spatent No. FR 2 366 034.

[0016] Moreover, document FR 2 779 658 presents a means of reinforcing aboard for gliding intended to increase the service life of the latter.This particular means consists of a longitudinal blade traversing thecore vertically.

[0017] Although they make it possible to increase the longitudinalstiffness of the board, such solutions nevertheless do not eliminate theaforesaid zones in which the pressure is markedly less than over theremainder of the board.

[0018] The problem which the invention thus proposes to solve is that ofthe effective transmission of the bearing forces exerted by the skier inthe direction of the sole of the board, so that the entire length of theedge is subjected to sufficient pressure to ensure optimum grip in thesnow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The invention thus relates to a board for gliding having anunderfoot zone, intended to receive the foot or feet of the user,extending toward the front via a front zone and to the rear via a rearzone, and the structure of which includes:

[0020] a lower assembly comprising the gliding sole, the edges and anoptional lower reinforcement;

[0021] an upper assembly comprising the protective upper layer and anupper reinforcement;

[0022] an intermediate core placed between the lower and upperassemblies.

[0023] A board of this type is characterized in that it includes a platelocated in the region of the underfoot zone and capable of beingdisplaced in the direction of the lower assembly through the effect of apressure exerted by the user's foot and at least one longitudinal rigidarm, housed inside the structure of the board, traversing at least mostof the thickness of the core, the end of the arm furthermost from theunderfoot zone bearing on the lower face of the core, on the lowerassembly of the-board, the end of the arm closest to the underfoot zonebearing under the plate, in the vicinity of the user's feet, so that theforces exerted by the user on the upper surface of the board in theregion of the underfoot zone of the board are transmitted directlytoward the lower surface of the board via the end of the arm oriented inthe direction of the lower assembly of the board.

[0024] In other words, the invention consists in equipping the boardwith a rigid element intended to serve as element of transmission fromthe zone where the binding is fitted as far as in the direction of thezones in which pressure is minimal, on traditional boards.

[0025] In other words, the characteristic arm ensures direct mechanicalcontinuity between the board located in the region of the underfootzone, where the binding is fitted, and the front and/or rear zones ofthe sole of the board. The arms may be embedded inside the core or,alternatively, entirely traverse the core, thus the upper and lowersurfaces thereof.

[0026] Advantageously, in practice, each arm includes, at least at oneof its ends, a support buffer for distributing the forces transmitted bythe arm. In other words, the arm may be equipped with an element forimproving the pick-up of the forces exerted by the skier and may also beequipped with an element located at the low end of the arm, fordistributing the forces transmitted by this arm over a surface abovethat of the arm section proper.

[0027] In a first embodiment, the board according to the invention mayinclude an arm located to the front of the underfoot zone and orientedin the longitudinal axis of the board, said arm being equipped at itsend furthermost from the underfoot zone with a transverse bufferintended to distribute the forces transmitted by the arm over asubstantial part of the width of the board.

[0028] In other words, in this embodiment, the characteristic arm andbuffer have a general T shape, the bar of which rests on the sole or,more generally on the lower assembly, while the foot of the T comesclose to the underfoot zone of the ski.

[0029] In a variant embodiment, the board may include a second arm ofsimilar geometry located to the rear of the underfoot zone.

[0030] In one embodiment, the board may include two substantiallyparallel arms located to the front of the underfoot zone, each arm beingpositioned on each side of the ski.

[0031] In this embodiment, mechanical transmission takes place in adifferentiated manner depending on whether the bearing forces areexerted on the inside or outside edge, which makes the bearing forcemore effective on the edge in question.

[0032] In a variant embodiment, the board may include a second pair ofparallel arms, offset transversely and located to the rear of theunderfoot zone.

[0033] A number of geometries may be adopted, in which the plate islocated either above the upper assembly of the board or inside a housingprovided for this purpose in the upper assembly of the board.

[0034] The plate may also be located either between the upper assemblyand the core or, alternatively, inside the core, flush with the top ortotally embedded in the core.

[0035] In a particular embodiment, the rigid plate may include at leastone layer of viscoelastic or elastic material arranged on one of itsfaces so as to allow a displacement thereof through squashing of theelastic layer.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the arms which are located to thefront and to the rear may form part of a single piece extending underthe plate.

[0037] In this way, the arms form a portal-type piece consisting of twoparts, a front part and a rear part, resting on the lower assembly, andof a central part in the form of a bridge on which the rigid platerests. Under the impulsion force of the skier's feet, the rigid plate isdisplaced downwards, bearing on the bridge, which has the effect oforienting this force on each of the arms, toward the front and towardthe rear.

[0038] In another particular embodiment, the two arms located to thefront and/or to the rear may intersect, in order to stiffen the board interms of torsion in three localized zones.

[0039] In particular embodiments, the arms may be covered with a layerof elastic or viscoelastic material which gives them a certain abilityto be displaced with respect to the core they traverse.

[0040] The arms may also be housed inside sheaths in order to allowsliding.

[0041] In practice, the arms may have an axis of revolution which givesthem isotropic mechanical properties which are identical in anydirection oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the arm.

[0042] Conversely, in other embodiments, the arms have anisotropicmechanical properties conferred by a section whose geometry favorsmechanical strength in a particular direction.

[0043] Thus, in the case of a blade of rectangular section, the largerside of which is perpendicular to the sole of the board, the arm hasconsiderable strength to withstand the forces transmittedperpendicularly to the gliding sole, but does not adversely effectlateral deformation of the board since it exerts no marked resistance inthese directions parallel to the gliding sole and perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the board.

[0044] In practice, the arms may be made from very varied materials,such as metallic tubes made from aluminum alloy or the like, rigid steelrods or, alternatively, cords of glass or carbon fibers, profiledsections made from metal or from a composite material or, alternatively,from glass, carbon or aramide fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] The way in which the invention is embodied and the advantagesarising therefrom will become clearly apparent from the description ofthe embodiments which follow, with reference to the appended figures inwhich:

[0046]FIG. 1 is a top view of a ski according to the invention, in whichthe characteristic elements are shown in dotted lines;

[0047]FIG. 2 is a view in transverse section in the region of theunderfoot zone II-II of the ski of FIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 3 is a sectional view in reference plane III-III of FIG. 1;

[0049]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic detailed view illustrating a variantembodiment of the arrangement of the plate according to the invention;

[0050]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic detailed view illustrating a furthervariant embodiment of the arrangement of the plate;

[0051] FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrammatic top views of assemblies consistingof plates and reinforcement arms according to the invention;

[0052]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic detailed view of an arm according to theinvention which has the ability to slide with respect to the core.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0053] As already stated, the invention relates to a board for glidingwhich has, in its internal structure, arms which allow the transmissionof forces from the underfoot zone in the direction of the front and/orrear zones in the region of the sole.

[0054] More specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, a ski (1)includes, in a known manner, an underfoot zone (2) which correspondssubstantially to the narrowest zone of the ski.

[0055] This underfoot zone (2) extends rearward via a heel zone (3) andforward via a tip zone (4).

[0056] A board of this type, as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises, in aknown manner, an upper assembly (6) consisting of the upper protectivelayer (7) which forms the topsheet and also of an upper reinforcement(8) which is generally made from coated glass-fiber fabric.

[0057] A ski includes, also in a known manner, a lower assembly (10)which includes the gliding sole (11) proper, forming the lower face ofthe ski and bordered laterally by metal edges (12). This lower assembly(10) optionally includes a lower reinforcement (13) which is usuallyalso made from coated glass-fiber fabric.

[0058] In a known manner, the ski comprises, between the upper assembly(6) and the lower assembly (10), a core (15) made from injectedpolyurethane bordered laterally by sides (16) which may be fitted to allor part of the height of the board.

[0059] According to the invention, the internal structure of the boardcomprises one or more arms (20-23) for transmitting the forces exertedby the skier from the upper face (9) of the ski in the underfoot region(2) as far as the sole (11) of the ski, in the region of the tip and/orheel zones.

[0060] More specifically, and in a non-limiting illustrated form, theski includes two pairs (20, 21; 22, 23) of arms and also an inner plate(25). More specifically, a first pair of two parallel arms (20, 21) isarranged in front of the underfoot zone (2). Each of the arms (20, 21)of the front pair has its rear end (30, 31) in contact with the innerplate (25).

[0061] In the embodiment illustrated, the inner plate (25) is covered onits upper and lower faces with an elastic strip (27, 28) intended toallow a slight relative movement of the plate (25) in the verticaldirection.

[0062] These elastic strips (27, 28) have a thickness of from 0.1 to 3millimeters.

[0063] In order to produce the board illustrated in FIG. 3, in a firststage a core is produced in the following manner: the inner plate (25)is placed in the mold for manufacturing the core with the various arms(20, 21; 22, 23). Then, after this mold has been closed, polyurethane isinjected in order to form the core (15), thus including, embedded in itsstructure, the plate (25) and the arms (20-23). This core is thenplaced, conventionally, in the mold for manufacturing the board, betweenthe lower (10) and upper (6) assemblies.

[0064] In another embodiment, the elastic strip (27) arranged above theinner plate (25) comes directly into contact with the upperreinforcement layer (8), so as to be able to receive the forces exertedby the skier through the single thickness of the upper assembly (6).

[0065] The two arms (20, 21) of the front pair are equipped, at theirfront ends, with buffer elements or shoes (40, 41) for distributing theforces transmitted by the arms (20, 21) over a surface area which isconsiderably greater than the section of the arms (20, 21), so as toprevent these arms (20, 21) damaging the lower reinforcement element(13) of the lower assembly (10).

[0066] In this way, it is possible easily and effectively to secure thebuffers (40, 41) to the sole (11) or to the lower reinforcement (13) inorder to ensure good transmission of these forces.

[0067] In practice, the buffers or the front ends (40, 41) of the frontarms (20, 21) are arranged approximately 100 millimeters from the frontcontact line, in the zone where the load is minimal on a conventionalboard.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the board according to the inventionmay be equipped with a second pair of arms (22, 23) arranged to the rearof the underfoot zone (2) and also interacting with the inner plate (25)via their ends (32, 33).

[0069] The precise orientation of the arms (20-23) may be adapted to agreater or lesser degree as a function of the geometry of the skiproper.

[0070] Thus, in certain particular cases, it may be advantageous for thetwo arms to lie precisely in line with the edges (12) and to have aslightly divergent geometry.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner plate (25) housed at the topof the core (15) receives, through the upper assembly (6), screws (36)for fitting the binding.

[0072] In this manner, when the skier exerts forces vertically, theparts of the binding (34, 35) transmit these forces via the fittingscrews (36) over the characteristic inner plate (25). These forces arethen transmitted by the characteristic arms (20-23) as far as close tothe edges (12).

[0073] In this way, the pressure exerted in the region of the edges (12)is relatively uniform and, in any case, relatively distributed over thelength of the edge, which allows good holding in the turn and steeringprecision.

[0074] In a different embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the plate (45)receiving the forces from the skier is above the upper face (9) of theski. In this case, the characteristic arm (46) traverses the upperassembly (6) of the ski in order to come into contact with the plate(45).

[0075] The binding is then fitted directly onto the characteristic plate(45) which is visible. This plate rests on an elastic strip (47) whichis itself in contact with the upper face (9) of the ski. The ability ofthis elastic strip (47) to deform allows the plate (45) to be displacedin a vertical direction and to exert a force on the characteristic arm(46).

[0076] In a variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the plate includesa characteristic pair of arms (50), arranged on either side of theboard, each extending from the front to the rear of the latter andforming a bridge (52) in the region of the plate (53). The bearingforces on the plate (53) are then broken down into two forces directedtoward the ends and distributed by the buffers at the front (54) and atthe rear (55).

[0077] In this case, the forces are thus transmitted more directly inthe region of the front and rear zones simultaneously.

[0078] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate variant embodiments of plates andcharacteristic arms. Thus, the plate (60) in FIG. 6 interacts in theregion of its front (61) and rear (62) ends with a central arm (63, 64)arranged in the longitudinal axis of the ski and which includes, at itsfront end (65) (or rear end (66) in the case of the rear arm), atransverse bar (67) for exerting a bearing force over practically theentire width of the sole in the region where this bar is arranged.

[0079] In this case, the pressure exerted by the edges is practicallyidentical on both the outside and inside edges.

[0080]FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the ski includes twopairs of arms (71, 72, 73, 74) arranged to the front and to the rear ofthe characteristic plate (70). In each pair, the arms are joined, in theregion of their end which is opposite the plate (70), by a transversebar (75, 76) which makes it possible, like the bar (67) in FIG. 6, toprovide a bearing force over a substantial part of the width of thesole.

[0081] Quite obviously, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,the front and rear arms may be connected in order to form a single armextending underneath the plate.

[0082] It is also possible to mix the various embodiments illustrated inthese two figures.

[0083]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment in which the board includestwo pairs of arms (81-84) located to the front and to the rear of theplate (80). Within each pair, the arms are arranged in an intersectingmanner so as to stiffen the front and rear zones of the board in termsof torsion.

[0084] This embodiment is more particularly suited to very wide boardsfor gliding, the structure of which is insufficiently rigid in terms oftorsion. In this case, the intersecting arrangement of the arms allows,more particularly, reinforcement of the stiffeners in terms of torsion.

[0085] According to a characteristic of the invention, and asillustrated in FIG. 9, in order to facilitate the displacement of thearm inside the structure of the core (15) the arm (20) may be arrangedinside a tube (29) in which it is able to slide, so as to limit thefriction between the arm (20) proper and the structure of the core (15).

[0086] The arm (20) may also be coated with a plastic material forming asheath and capable of being deformed when there is slight displacementof the arm inside the core. This material may be an elastomericadhesive.

[0087] As already specified, the invention also applies to the structureof snowboards. In this case, the snowboard includes two plate/armassemblies, the arms being oriented in a slightly divergent manner, inthe direction of the side edges.

[0088] It emerges from the aforesaid that the board structure accordingto the invention has a number of advantages and, in particular, is ableto distribute the pressure exerted by the skier over an appreciablelength of the edge, doing so in a relatively uniform manner, or,alternatively, it provides localized reinforcement of this board.

[0089] A distribution of this type allows an improved line in the turnand more precise steering of the board.

1. Board for gliding (1) having an underfoot zone (2), intended toreceive the foot or feet of the user, extending toward the front via afront zone (4) and to the rear via a rear zone (3), and the structure ofwhich includes: a lower assembly (10) comprising the gliding sole (11),the edges (12) and an optional lower reinforcement (13); an upperassembly (6) comprising the protective upper layer (7) and an upperreinforcement (8); an intermediate core (15) placed between the lower(10) and upper (6) assemblies; characterized in that it includes a plate(25) located in the region of the underfoot zone and capable of beingdisplaced in the direction of the lower assembly (10) through the effectof a pressure exerted by the user's foot and at least one longitudinalrigid arm (20-23), housed inside the structure of the board, traversingat least most of the thickness of the core (15), the end (40-43) of thearm furthermost from the underfoot zone bearing on the lower face of thecore (15), on the lower assembly (10) of the board, the end (30-33) ofthe arm closest to the underfoot zone bearing under the plate (25), inthe vicinity of the user's feet, so that the forces exerted by the useron the upper surface (9) of the board in the region of the. underfootzone (2) of the board are transmitted directly toward the lower surfaceof the board via the end of the arm (20-23) oriented in the direction ofthe lower assembly (10) of the board.
 2. Board according to claim 1,characterized in that the arm (20-23) includes, at least at one of itsends, a support buffer (40-43) for distributing the forces transmittedby the arm (20-23).
 3. Board according to claim 1, characterized in thatit includes an arm (63) located in front of the underfoot zone andoriented in the longitudinal axis of the board, said arm (63) beingequipped at its end (65) furthest from the underfoot zone with atransverse buffer (67) for distributing the forces transmitted by thearm (63) over a substantial part of the width of the board.
 4. Boardaccording to claim 3, characterized in that it also includes a secondarm (64) located to the rear of the underfoot zone and oriented in thelongitudinal axis of the board, said second arm (64) being equipped witha transverse buffer (67) for distributing the forces transmitted by thearm (64) over a substantial part of the width of the board.
 5. Boardaccording to claim 1, characterized in that it includes two arms (20,21) which are substantially parallel, located to the front of theunderfoot zone, the two arms being offset transversely.
 6. Boardaccording to claim 5, characterized in that it also includes twosupplementary arms (22, 23), the two supplementary arms being parallel,offset transversely and located to the rear of the underfoot zone (2).7. Board according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (45) islocated above (9) the upper assembly (6) of the board.
 8. Boardaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (25) is located ina housing (26) provided for this purpose in the core (15) of the board.9. Board according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate islocated inside the core at the top.
 10. Board according to claim 1,characterized in that the plate (25) includes at least one layer (27,28) of elastic or viscoelastic material arranged over at least one ofits faces so as to allow a displacement of said plate.
 11. Boardaccording to claims 1 and 4 or 6, characterized in that the arms (50)located to the front and to the rear form part of a single piece (52)extending under the plate (53).
 12. Board according to claim 1,characterized in that it includes two arms (81, 82) located to the frontor to the rear of the underfoot zone, the two arms intersecting. 13.Board according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the armsare covered with a layer of elastic material which confers on them acertain capability for displacement with respect to the core.
 14. Boardaccording to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the arms arehoused inside sheaths in order to allow them to slide.
 15. Boardaccording to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the arms havea revolution-type form.
 16. Board according to one of claims 1 to 14,characterized in that the arms have the form of a blade of rectangularsection, the larger side of which is perpendicular to the sole of theboard.